Robin Williams' ashes scattered in San Francisco Bay

By Dana Ford, CNN

Updated 10:09 AM ET, Fri August 22, 2014

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Robin Williams died August 11, 2014, at age 63. Williams' peers regarded him as a brilliant actor and comedian. His friend David Letterman remembered him as "nothing we had ever seen before." Click through to see moments from the beloved actor's remarkable life.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Williams first shot to stardom with Pam Dawber in the sitcom "Mork & Mindy" in September 1978.

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Williams attends the Robin Williams Opening Party on April 11, 1979, at Studio 54 in New York City.

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This 1982 file photo originally released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Williams as T.S. Garp from the film "The World According to Garp."

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Williams and his first wife, Valerie Velardi, join a huge number of photographers packed into singer Paul Simon's apartment to celebrate Simon's wedding to actress Carrie Fisher in New York City on August 16, 1983.

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Williams, center, takes time out from rehearsal at NBC's "Saturday Night Live" with cast members Eddie Murphy, left, and Joe Piscopo on February 10, 1984. Williams would appear as guest host on the show.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Robin Williams was honored during 2014's Emmy telecast with a tribute led by friend Billy Crystal, who hosted the "Comic Relief" benefits with Williams and Whoopi Goldberg (seen here in 1986).

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Williams enjoys music through a headset in a scene from the film "Good Morning, Vietnam" in 1987.

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Williams portrayed a teacher in the movie "Dead Poets Society" in 1989, one of his first mostly dramatic roles.

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Williams went to all lengths to stay with his children in the 1993 movie "Mrs. Doubtfire."

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From left, Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, Kirsten Dunst and Williams hold one another in a scene from the 1995 film "Jumanji."

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Comedians and co-hosts, from left, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Williams sing and dance the 1940s-era opening number to "Comic Relief VII" on November 11, 1995, in Los Angeles.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Jay Leno laughs as Williams jokes around during a taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on November 13, 1995, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

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Williams and Nathan Lane starred in the film "The Birdcage" in 1996.

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Williams visits a sick child in a scene from the film "Patch Adams" in 1998.

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Williams and his wife, Marsha, pose for photographers with their daughter, Zelda, as they arrive at the premiere of the film "Patch Adams" in December 1998 in New York City.

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Williams wears a clown nose as he places his hands in concrete during a ceremony outside Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1998. In the critically acclaimed "Patch Adams," he played a doctor who used humor to help heal his patients

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Actor-writers Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck, right, pose with Williams, holding the Oscars they won for "Good Will Hunting" at the 70th annual Academy Awards in 1998. Damon and Affleck won for best original screenplay, and Williams won for best supporting actor.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Williams donates blood at the Irwin Memorial Blood Center in San Francisco on September 11, 2001.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

U.S. Postal Service team rider Lance Armstrong rides with Williams during training on a rest day of the 89th Tour de France cycling race in Vaison La Romaine on July 22, 2002.

Williams and Oscar host Billy Crystal perform at the 76th Academy Awards show in 2004.

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Williams poses for pictures with U.S. soldiers at the main U.S. base at Bagram, Afghanistan, on December 16, 2004.

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Williams in 2007's "License to Wed."

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Williams and Susan Schneider arrive at the premiere of "World's Greatest Dad" in Los Angeles on August 13, 2009.

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Williams at the pre-premiere party for "Happy Feet Two" at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on November 20, 2011.

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Williams poses for photographs in Sydney, Australia, on December 5, 2011. He and Australian director George Miller were in Australia to promote "Happy Feet Two."

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Photos:Remembering Robin Williams

Upon his death, Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, said, "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken."

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Story highlights

Widow: Williams was struggling with depression and the early stages of Parkinson's disease

The actor was found dead in his Northern California home August 11

Investigators believe Williams used a belt to hang himself from a bedroom door

Actor Robin Williams was cremated and his ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay, according to his death certificate.

Williams was found dead in his Northern California home August 11 from what investigators suspect was a suicide by hanging. The certificate, obtained by CNN on Thursday, says his ashes were scattered off the coast one day later.

It also says the cause of death is "pending investigation."

According to Marin County Assistant Deputy Chief Coroner Lt. Keith Boyd, investigators believe Williams used a belt to hang himself from a bedroom door.

Boyd would not confirm or deny whether Williams left behind a letter, saying that investigators would discuss "the note or a note" later.

The coroner's investigation "revealed he had been seeking treatment for depression," Boyd said.

In his own words: Williams on depression

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Remembering Robin Williams

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He spent time in a treatment facility in July, a time when his wife and representative have said he was battling depression.

Media reports at the time speculated that Williams had resumed drinking alcohol, but a statement from his wife appears to dispute those reports.

Williams was sober but struggling with depression, anxiety and the early stages of Parkinson's disease when he died, his widow said last week.

"Robin spent so much of his life helping others," she said. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the front lines, or comforting a sick child -- Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid."